The energy that once electrified the Footprint Center feels absent. When will it make its comeback?
After attending the Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks game at Footprint Center as a fan, I found myself wondering if the arena will ever recapture the electrifying energy it had during the final year with Chris Paul in the 2022-23 season. Back then, the Valley was alive with excitement and anticipation, erupting for every shot and every defensive stand. Now, the atmosphere feels completely different. Drained of enthusiasm, with yawns replacing the cheers that once echoed throughout the arena.
With injuries and underperformances plaguing our shorthanded team, the urge to shout “Trade that man!” left my throat dry almost every quarter. Now, with the Suns missing Jusuf Nurkic for at least two more games and Grayson Allen sidelined indefinitely due to a concussion, it’s easy to lean on excuses if we’re searching for some form of empathy for this team.
But sympathy only goes so far when the performances on the court fail to inspire.
The bigger question is, even at full strength, can the Suns reignite the passion in the crowd and give fans something to cheer for? Right now, the atmosphere at games feels lackluster, with the team struggling to keep the crowd engaged unless it’s t-shirt toss time. Who on this roster can be counted on to match the energy of opposing teams and fire up the crowd at Footprint Center? Without that spark, the Suns risk losing the connection that once made this arena one of the most electric in the league.
This season, the Suns have already lost seven games at home, compared to just 13 home losses all of last year. With a current 10-7 record at Footprint Center, it’s clear that the home-court advantage has diminished significantly. As of Sunday, the Suns rank 16th in the league for home-court performance, a mediocre standing for a team with championship aspirations. The once-imposing atmosphere of the Valley seems to have faded, leaving fans questioning what happened to the fortress that Footprint Center used to be.
So, should Suns fans be held accountable for not bringing the energy that once electrified Footprint Center, or is it on the team to revive the crowd with the star power that has yet to shine consistently since their 8-1 start to the season? The connection between a team and its fans is symbiotic, but right now, it feels as though both sides are waiting for the other to make the first move.
Ultimately, it falls on the Suns to lead the charge. Fans feed off moments of brilliance, hustle plays, and a sense of unity on the court. The team needs to recapture that spark, whether it’s through electrifying performances from their stars, cohesive team play, or simply showing grit and determination in every game. Once the Suns provide that, the crowd will respond, reigniting the energy and passion that once made this arena a fortress for visiting teams.
But until then, it would be great to hear about your experience at Footprint Center and whether you believe it can ever return to the electrifying atmosphere it had just a couple of years ago.
Do you think the magic that once made it one of the loudest and most intimidating arenas in the league can be restored? Or is the current state of the fan-team dynamic the new reality for Suns basketball? Share your thoughts, because right now, it feels like both the team and its fans are searching for a spark to bring the Valley back to life.